The Record Magazine Issue 20 (August 2019)

16 Aug 2019

By Jamie O'Brien

The Record Magazine Issue 20. Photo: Jamie O’Brien. Front Cover: Feby Plando.

In this Issue 20 of The Record Magazine, we take a look at the topic of ‘Wellbeing’. It is a topic that I believe will be close to many people.

The 2017 figures reveal that almost one in five Australians have experienced symptoms of a mental health issue during the last twelve months, with anxiety being the most common.

Homelessness is another major source of mental illness and stigma. People living with a mental illness are often isolated, have difficulty accessing
employment and have disrupted family, social and peer networks as highlighted in the Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement for 2018/19, “A place to call Home”.

In his 2018 Pastoral Letter for Mental Health Week, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton said that improving our communication around mental ill-health and suicide is vital, as stigmatising language can prevent people from seeking help.

“Mental health and wellbeing crosses language and cultural divides,” Bishop Sproxton expressed. “By supporting individuals and families holistically and in partnership, we build stronger communities that flourish as a whole.”

The Record Magazine is a magazine for the people and I hope you will
enjoy taking the time to engage with us. Please feel free to share your thoughts via editor@therecord.com.au.